Ministers Launch Global Initiative to Cut Farm Methane and Nitrous Oxide

“FIRST is the first coordinated South-South platform linking countries across Latin America, Africa and Asia to share practical, low-cost solutions.”

At COP30, ministers launched FIRST (Farmers’ Initiative for Resilient and Sustainable Transformations) along with the Belem Declaration on Fertilisers. Agriculture accounts for 40% of human-emitted methane and 75% of nitrous oxide, both potent greenhouse gases. The initiative connects developing countries to share proven techniques for reducing emissions without expensive technology. Smarter fertilizer use alone could significantly cut nitrous oxide while maintaining crop yields.